Accra: Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Ghana have urgently appealed to policymakers, government bodies, researchers, the media, and other stakeholders to collaborate in advancing tobacco taxation measures. This call aims to curb tobacco consumption and mitigate its adverse health impacts on the Ghanaian population.
According to Ghana News Agency, the plea was made during a Strategic Meeting on Tobacco Taxation in Ghana, organized by Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development, Ghana (VAST-Ghana) in Accra. The meeting is part of the Tobacco Tax Advocacy in Africa (TTAA) Project III, funded by the Tax Justice Network Africa, which seeks to advance tobacco taxation for better public health outcomes in Ghana.
The meeting's objectives included reviewing the project's overall goals, key activities, implementation timeline, and expected outcomes. It also aimed to enhance participants' understanding of tobacco taxation as a proven intervention for reducing tobacco use and improving public health. The discussions focused on Ghana's current tobacco taxation landscape, identifying policy opportunities, advocacy entry points, and strategic engagement areas. Moreover, it aimed to establish a coordinated advocacy framework among participating CSOs to guide their interactions with policymakers, government institutions, media, communities, and other stakeholders.
Mr. Labram Musah, Executive Director of VAST-Ghana, emphasized the severe public health and development challenges posed by tobacco use in Ghana. He highlighted the broader impact of tobacco-related diseases on families, communities, healthcare systems, and national productivity. Mr. Musah stressed the necessity of stronger, coordinated policy interventions to reduce tobacco consumption amid the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in Ghana.
He noted that tobacco taxation is recognized as one of the most effective measures for reducing tobacco use. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and its Article six guidelines identify taxation as a critical element of comprehensive tobacco control. Despite progress in implementing tobacco control measures, Mr. Musah pointed out ongoing challenges, particularly in the affordability and accessibility of tobacco products in Ghana.
The strategic meeting is seen as a pivotal step in CSOs' collective efforts to advance tobacco tax advocacy and control. Mr. Musah assured that through the project, VAST-Ghana would establish a coordinated CSO movement to generate evidence, raise public awareness, engage decision-makers, and promote policy actions to reduce tobacco-related harm.
He encouraged CSO members to leverage their experiences, expertise, and networks to shape an effective advocacy approach for meaningful tax policy change within Ghana.